What We Do

The Guild is here to fight on behalf of writers concerning issues that affect their jobs. We negotiate contracts with companies that employ our members and step into the fray when your rights under contract have been violated. The WGAE also enters into negotiations to make sure on-screen credits are fair and accurate. We are here to alleviate the burden of problematic interactions between writers and the companies that employ them.

The WGAE is more than just a union; it’s a community of creators. It conducts programs, training, seminars, and events on issues of interest to, and on behalf of, writers. In addition, it represents writers’ interests on the legislative level.

The contract you work under as a writer is fundamental in helping you to do your job. With the help of the Guild, your contract will be negotiated, and your benefits, wages, and working conditions will be clear from the onset. Writing can be a tumultuous career but as a Guild member you will not be facing all of your employment challenges alone. Bad working conditions for writers can include a range of issues such as being incorrectly credited on projects you have written, unpaid work, late payment of residuals (or not receiving any residuals for the re-airing of your work) and lack of affordable healthcare. That’s where the Guild steps in to represent you and make sure you are not handling those burdens on your own. Guild members also help bring about effective change by providing us with feedback on their working conditions. Informing us of injurious workplace issues doesn’t just help the individual writer—it can aid in our quest to stamp out abusive practices for good. To learn how the union negotiates with employers and ensures that contracts are carried out, please visit the contracts section of our website and Know Your Rights to familiarize yourself.